Such Pretty Things

Cherry Blossom Picnic 2012

I think we truly picked the most beautiful day ever for our family's annual cherry blossom picnic.

Spring has arrived early in the D.C. area and everything is blooming with pink and green buds.

With temperatures in the mid-70's, it has seemed more like early summer and we have been more than happy to break out our sundresses and flip-flops! This year we were super lucky to find a great parking space (a miracle) and an empty bench to spread out our picnic...

Those of you who know me, know that I like to make our picnics extra-special, so I always bring along real vintage china...

...and a vase of fresh flowers (no blossom picking allowed!)

I also used a vintage floral duvet as our tablecloth - such a pretty backdrop for our meal. After a yummy lunch of salads and sandwiches, I put out the special treats...like these fabulous French creams.

And these chocolate dipped Madeleines...

Mini-mini-me enjoyed some sparkling pink lemonade (you gotta love the green magic marker on her fingers).

Personally, I could sit under that canopy of fluffy, pink blossoms for forever and a day.

But, eventually it was time to pack-up and head back home - but not before a leisurely lap around the Tidal Basin. And, as we always do, we stopped to take a ton of photos of the girls...and the blossoms. :-)

Happy Thursday!

XOXO

Jessica

A Little Picnic

It was a gloriously beautiful day today!  It is been super hot and humid around here as of late, but today was absolutely perfect! So, I grabbed the girls and we headed out for a little picnic...

It was a great opportunity to use some of my vintage floral cupcake picks, my new Cath Kidston-esque napkins (HomeGoods), and my newest melamine pink polka dot plates (Pottery Barn Kids). It's amazing how the littlest details can elevate a simple picnic into something special...

For dessert, we had to have some cupcakes..with sparkly sugar crystals and a pretty posy, of course!

I just took some basic iced cupcakes from the bakery and embellished them a bit.  The girls went crazy for them. :-)

And since that just wasn't enough sugar for us, we indulged in some mini "ice cream" cones...

These were made of yummy marshmallows - perfect for a warm summer day, as they didn't melt in two seconds flat!

So, maybe not the healthiest picnic around, but definitely a delicious one. :-) And what a pretty, pretty day we had!

XOXO

Jessica

 

Cherry Blossom Picnic 2011

Yes, it's cherry blossom time again! I just adore our annual family picnic down at the Tidal Basin in D.C. and eagerly anticipate it all winter long. We usually try to wait for the warmest, sunniest day to go, but the weather just hasn't been cooperating with us.  So, this year, we bundled up, headed downtown, and braved the crisp, chilly air.

Luckily, the blossoms were clearly oblivious to the cold spell and looked as gorgeous as ever...

We brought a simple and portable picnic of warm, fresh croissants, thick Belgian waffles, juicy strawberries, orange juice, and coffee (hot chocolate for the girls).

I'm not a fan of paper plates.

:-)

Since you can't pick the blossoms, we brought a few of our own (a little shabby, but pretty).

And, as is true every year, the view is breathtakingly beautiful...

Happy Spring!

Jessica

A Shabby Chic Picnic

The weather was perfect for a picnic this past weekend.  So, we brought some friends and some pretty desserts to the park for a shabby chic picnic...

Why use paper plates when you can use pretty china!

I kept the desserts simple...

Some pastel meringues,

some pretty candies...

and a butter-cream confection...

I always like to have fresh flowers at a picnic.

I just placed a small bunch of roses and in a lavender drinking glass.

We had such a lovely time and it was such a nice way to end the summer...

:-)

Jessica
 

Shabby Chic Picnic Prep

Well, the girls went back to school this week...wearing sundresses and shorts! It's been incredibly hot, so there's been no opportunity to wear their new Fall clothes just yet.  Yes, for now, the sweaters and boots will just have to wait while we hang on to a few more weeks of summer. The weather is supposed to be absolutely gorgeous this holiday weekend (despite the fact that a hurricane is heading our way!), so I am preparing a little shabby-chic-inspired dessert picnic.  

I've been gathering up pretty vintage china plates.

And these gorgeous meringues will be a perfect addition (Thanks, Michele!).

Loving the pastel colors.

Not sure they're going to make it to the picnic.  ;-)

I'll be back soon with all the details. Happy last days of Summer...

XOXO

Jessica

Cherry Blossom Picnic

Well, as I mentioned in my last post, it's Cherry Blossom time again here in the D.C. area.

And that can only mean one thing...time for our annual Cherry Blossom Breakfast Picnic! We make a pretty big deal out of this yearly event, as it has become one of our favorite family traditions. So, we pack up the picnic basket, head downtown to the Tidal Basin, and find ourselves a nice bench to picnic on...

I try to make our picnics extra special by bringing along real vintage china plates, fresh flowers (more pink Tulips), and pretty floral quilts.

The menu isn't fancy or complicated...just warm croissants from the local bakery, orange juice, and coffee (chocolate milk for the girls!).

Simple, but yummy.

Berries are always better in a real china bowl.

The best preserves...

And it's all made even prettier when you look up and see this overhead...

I hope everyone has a lovely holiday! 

:-)

Jessica